Bossarenova Trio: Samba Prelúdio

Samba Prelúdio is a transatlantic song cycle that merges Lieder in the European classical tradition with repertoire from Brazil that is or has become classic. All arrangements have been tailored to the multicultural musical origins of Bossarenova Trio’s members: the timelessly beautiful voice of Paula Morelenbaum, the warm trumpet-playing and grooving vocal percussion by Joo Kraus, and the electronically coloured audiophonic diversity on the concert grand displayed by Ralf Schmid.

Melodia Sentimentale by Brazil’s classical composer Heitor Villa-Lobos opens up the album with the trio’s signature sound: Paula Morelenbaum’s melancholic voice line floats over a delicate piano accompaniment enhanced by pulsating electronics. Joo Kraus supports with beatbox elements and a lyrical solo on morphed trumpet.

The second song is a true premiere: Prelude op. 28 No. 4 by Frédéric Chopin and Insensatez by Antonio Carlos Jobim have often been played in conjunction with each other to emphasize their obvious relationship. In Ralf Schmid’s sophisticated arrangement these two songs are performed simultaneously: Voice, trumpet and piano travel between Chopin’s and Jobim’s textures, bringing music traditions from Europe and Brazil together in one song.

Ständchen by Franz Schubert and the last track on the album, Clara/Im wunderschönen Monat Mai by Robert Schumann, are sung in Portuguese. The lyrics were written exclusively for Paula Morelenbaum by Artur Nestrovski, a native Brazilian who states: The lyrics in Portuguese are closely aligned to the original version in German, but recreated in the manner of Brazilian songs, always very close to everyday speech.

After the Brazilian standard Samba de verão highlighted by Joo Kraus’s virtuosity in a whistling solo and the capricious soccer theme 1:0 by Brazil’s classic samba composer Pixinguinha, Bossarenova Trio with guest musician Veit Hübner on bass performs a colourful rendition of the theme Trenzinho da caipira by Heitor Villa-Lobos from his orchestral composition Bachiana Brasileira No. 2. It tells the story of a little train travelling through the heartland of Brazil.

Another bridge between Europe and Brazil is built using reflections on themes revolving around Orpheus: through A felicidade from the movie Orfeu Negro and by citing the works of Gluck and Monteverdi. The following song, Primavera verão, was composed by Joo Kraus and Ralf Schmid with lyrics by Paula Morelenbaum and Eucanaã Ferraz.

Robert Schumann’s Clara/Im wunderschönen Monat Mai concludes the song cycle in a contemplative vein.